The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-09-25

ruth. this is Aunt Hannah" said
nv niece. you didn't mind, did
YOU. Aunt Hannah we thought you
would not; and Ruth plays my &C
compartments so well. We always
play together now"
1 had been SO long away from
the old home that ! had fallen ont OF
the knowledge of the young peoples
friends; but from Ruth's looks was
glad she should be one OF them,
whoever she might be.
The violin master came, aud the
lesson gave me intense pleasure.
Ruth's accompaniment was perfect;
and as the violin was being carefully
wiped and restored TO its ease, l
begged her to play me something
auythiug-whatever she loved best
--Mendelssohn for choice, ii she
would" One after another she
played my best loved old friends,
and l turned impatieutly when the
footman opened the door and said "A
gentleman had called for the young
lady with Miss Grey"
my uncle" said Ruth, apologet-
ically. :,
pray ask him to come in" l said,
and the next moment Mike stood
once more before be. He bowed a
little shyly, aud l With my back to
the windcw, stood spellbound and
silent.
Yes, it was Mike-huge, winsome
Mike; and must greet him Is best
might. g,
Mr.. Vivian" I ial,cred, IL
had no idea II was you"
Two huge strides brought him to
my side. =, -, .N;..
Gra,i Why, | was sent to Miss
Sinclair'sl Have l come to the
wrong house2" :,
The young people few TO him
open .mouthed about this wonderful
thing, and chartered, mercifully tor
me, till / had recovered my balance
little.
From time TO time l felt his eye
upon me, and grew trife hot aud
angry under it. Why should he look
At me now in that way2 lie had
been married for years, and well
| I had settled into my old maid ways
and l hal got over it, as the say
ing goes.
As il we ever lose "the marks Of
that which once had been"
As they all trooped out together
he turned back at the door, and
grasping my hand tightly, said
why did you say not at homs' mint
long years agor >,
nantly, in a stified voice, you neve
came" -,
Didn't II" he answered, and the
he was gone. :,
That night l slept not at all
Backwards and forwards that refrail
rang in my ears, Didn't IT "Didn'
IYOh, Mike, oh, faithful hesrte.
Mike, have been wronging you al
! these years2 Did you come, did you
aud / never knew it-and now It
, too late.
Does she love you, l wonder, as
did-as / do, God help me, l mu;
: live il down and crush IL under loo
but for this one night ! will allo
Z myself the joy Of knowing that b
Z ala come-he did come; the rest
u cannot even guess at.
Happy, miserable, restless, and y,
q soothed, / came down next mornir
{ and found | could settle down
s nothing in the way Of business. III
piano stood where il had been plac,
q the day before for the girls, and ait
l. many vain efforts 10 attend proper
y 10 writing which ought 10 have be-
?, done, | wandered up TO IL and sat a
down listlessly, trying 70 pick up q
IS thread OF all that clilds symp,thet
fingers had done such full justice 3
;; and as | played my heart grew light,
e. aud by degrees my Mendolssoh
10 modulated of into lighter music, al
At / found myself beating time on
,e more with my foot 10 that Wal
~ teuffel yalse which had been dear
10 me than all beside. How plays
re threw my heart, my whole heart "a
"a IL: and as / came TO the III
ed chord / suddenly flung my arms up
py the desk in front Of me aud bu
nc into such q passion OF weeping as
70, had never 10 all my life giyen way
ed How long | wept do not koow; }
10 1 know that then aud there | pray
els uitb all nv might for strength
'n root out. Tor good aud all, this cru
absorbing, disgraceiul love, aud
ne Ing with one last stranl led sob an
DC firm determination that not apotl
should escape me now or ever aga
~, saw the door opening quietly, .
M in one moment Mike had hold
a., both my hands. 10 vain | tried
III null them away. They we're gea
sas but firmly gripped, and his q
10y voice spoke rapidly in agitated,
~, ing tones.
ng Don't speak, darling; H
~ what YOU think. Let me speak
,sa for the sake Of the dear old Tia
~ Let mo clear up matters first. L
IT not the blackguard you think
was God forbid. Sit down and let
speak" .
IeY" What cbuld | do but obey B
I sat down, aud as he spoke my h
old leaped and danced within me I
air. could have shouted for Joy, aud
/ an. | ielt ashamed Of my delight.
row had he not gone through
waters, dear fellow The poor J
G; | frivolous, childish wife had J
but one year, but had wrough,
was, havoc 10 that short zine th'
,ats were more charitable to tell not
one OF IL 10 any who did not know
miserable story already. Peac
did. with her, poor thing, ! need I
igly, OF her no more.
rom Then came tho explanation o.
lines own mislortuues. He had
B my straight from my door the pre-,
take evening down TO the dear old
had 10 SEQ my brother, aud arrive at
shep explanation. IL wes simple enc
All Nv good sister in.law on
low eyentiul rorpipg nine years b
rich had been fright nd about one q